Steelers Trade Diontae Johnson to Panthers, per Report

Bryce Young has a new weapon to work with in Carolina’s offense.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will have a new offensive weapon to work with in 2024.

The Panthers traded for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson on Tuesday, acquiring the 27-year-old veteran for cornerback Donte Jackson and a pick swap, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.

Carolina also sent Pittsburgh a sixth-round pick (No. 177) in exchange for a seventh-round pick (No. 240) in the deal.

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Johnson, a third-round pick by Pittsburgh in the 2019 NFL draft, has played all five of his NFL seasons with the Steelers. He hauled in 51 receptions for 717 yards and five touchdowns on 87 targets over 13 games last season.

Johnson had his best season in 2021, tallying a career-high 107 receptions for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned his first and only Pro Bowl nod that year as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite target.

He now joins a young Panthers offense in desperate need of playmakers around Young, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Veteran receiver Adam Thielen led Carolina in receiving last year, catching 103 passes for 1,014 yards, but Young struggled to consistently find receiver DJ Chark Jr. and rookie Jonathan Mingo throughout the season.

Johnson is set to make $10 million in 2024 and will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

Jackson provides the Steelers with depth in their secondary after they released veteran Patrick Peterson this offseason.

Jackson spent the first six seasons of his career in Carolina. He started 16 games last year, notching 59 tackles and five passes defensed. 

The 28-year-old has a $10.5 million cap hit in 2024 and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025.